Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - chapter 25
City C at dusk.
The amber light gradually spread across the sky, casting a soft glow over the bustling streets, which—for a rare moment—fell into silence. Jing Xuan sat by the window in the lounge, eyes lost in the crowd hurrying by, deep in thought. A sleek Maserati slowly pulled into the space just outside the window. Jing Xuan’s lips curved upward slightly. So early today?
Gao Zhe stepped out of the car, looking visibly defeated as she walked into Huatian. Seeing her from afar, Jing Xuan got up to greet her, smiling, “What’s wrong, Shuangji? You look like you ran into a brick wall.
Come, sit.” She pulled Gao Zhe over to the bar and gestured for her to take a seat before heading behind the counter. “What do you want to drink? Today I’ll mix it myself—consider yourself lucky.”
“Whatever,” Gao Zhe replied with a sigh.
“Haha, alright then.” Jing Xuan prepared a Xinyu Rainbow, a calming cocktail perfect for an unsettled heart.
Gao Zhe took the drink, sipped quietly, then slumped over the bar.
“Hey, hey, are you crying now?” Jing Xuan teased.
“Ajing… I think I’m doomed…”
“What? What’s over? Sit up and explain!”
“Ajing, I think I’ve fallen for someone.”
“You? Young Master Gao? Again? Who is it this time? Not that cute little doll?”
“It’s her. That doll. But this time… it’s different, Ajing. I really, really like her.”
Intrigued, Jing Xuan leaned on the bar next to her.
“What makes it different?”
“When I see her, I feel… happy. No pressure. Just peace. I think about her all the time—what she’s doing, how she’s feeling…”
“Haha, you’re done for,” Jing Xuan chuckled.
Gao Zhe downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.
“Hey! This isn’t soda, it’s wine! Sip it! That was crafted with love, you brute!”
“Ajing, I’m being serious!”
“Okay, okay. You’ve got it bad, Shuangji. You’ve fallen for her—Liu Xinyu, right?”
“…Yeah. It’s her.” Gao Zhe gave her friend a side-eye as Jing Xuan burst into laughter, clearly enjoying her distress a bit too much.
“But seriously, Liu Xinyu is a great girl—sweet, pretty, and full of life. If you like her, go for it. Don’t keep living in the past. I know you can do this, Shuangji. Move forward.”
Years ago, Gao Zhe had loved deeply—her first love. She taught her how intoxicating love could be. But love turned to poison. Just as she planned to propose, presenting a property deed and a ring she’d poured her savings into, she walked in on her… with a man. The scene was burned into her memory—the man dressing nonchalantly, smirking as he passed, and the woman, lying in bed, unfazed.
She barely covered herself and said coldly, “Zhe, what you saw is real. I need a man—I’ll marry one in the end. You can’t give me what I want. Let’s stop hurting each other and just end it.”
Gao Zhe responded calmly. “You’re right. I can’t give you what you want. Here—” She pulled out the property deed. “I got this for us. A new home. I promised to give you a good life… Guess that was a joke.” With that, she lit it on fire. Ashes drifted down at her feet.
Then she took out the ruby engagement ring and tossed it beside the ashes. “That was for you too.” Without another word, she turned and walked out. Cool on the outside, shattered inside.
Since then, Gao Zhe had spiraled—indulging in nightlife, casual flings, and reckless living. The memory of that betrayal turned her bitter. She convinced herself that women were shallow, driven by base desires.
She lost the ability to feel… until now.
Liu Xinyu—she changed something. Awakened something. Her heart, numb for so long, was beating again.
“Shuangji? Hey, are you okay? Are you drunk?” Jing Xuan’s voice echoed distantly. Gao Zhe blinked. Through a blur, she saw a silhouette approach. It’s her! She reached out instinctively. “Xinyu…? Is that you?”
“Xin—what the hell! Shuangji, wake up! It’s me, Ajing! You’re going to strangle me!” Jing Xuan yelped, struggling in her grip. The aftereffects of the cocktail had hit hard. Finally, Gao Zhe blinked back into reality, let go awkwardly, and turned her face away.
“Ajing… I’m not feeling great. I’ll head out. Bye!”
“Hey! You’re drunk! Don’t drive. Come upstairs and rest!”
“No, really. I’m fine!” Gao Zhe bolted out of Huatian, leaving Jing Xuan shouting after her.
Outside, Gao Zhe’s Maserati weaved erratically down the road, clearly out of control. Behind her, Jing Xuan tailed closely in her silver Aston Martin One-77, one eye on the road, the other on her phone.
“Pick up! Please, pick up! Shuangji, don’t be stupid!” Jing Xuan cursed under her breath as horns blared from all sides, other drivers swerving to avoid the wild car.
In the Maserati, Gao Zhe’s vision spun. Her grip on the wheel weakened until her head slumped forward, eyes closing…
Suddenly, a heavy truck charged onto the overpass from the opposite direction, barreling straight toward her.
The Maserati jolted forward uncontrollably.
—BANG—BANG—
“Shuangji!”
…